RP tracksters win but still way below norm

Marestella Torres, Joebert Delicano and Arniel Ferrera hauled their second gold medals but continued to miss on breaking the existing national records in Day 3 of the Milo National Open International Invitational at the Rizal Memorial Track and Field Oval.

Riding the crest of a stunning long jump triumph over Lerma Bulauitan-Gabito Friday, the 22-year-old Torres struck gold anew by topping the women’s triple jump over a field without national record holder Percela Molina.

Torres leapt to a personal best 12.47 meters to beat La Salle’s Sheina Atilano (11.17) and Lilibeth Cama (10.84), who settled for the silver and the bronze medal, respectively.

Molina, holder of the current triple jump mark of 12.56, she registered in the 1999 edition of the meet bankrolled this year by the Philippine Sports Commission and Milo, skipped the event to concentrate on women’s heptathlon.

"Matagal ko nang pinaghandaan itong event na ito, masaya nga ako dahil personal best ko talaga ito," said Torres, a bronze medalist in last year’s Asian Championship in Sri Lanka. "Nakatulong din na wala si Percela Molina, na alam nating may hawak ng national record sa triple jump."

Delicano, an Air Force man, for his part, had his second golden performance in men’s triple jump, leaping a 15.06m to beat Army man Roland Canta (14.81) and Air Force man Francis Oliveros (14.80).

The 23-year-old Delicano, however, failed anew to get close to tying or eclipsing her own national mark of 15.55 he recorded two years back. He also won the gold medal in men’s long jump Friday but also was far from attacking the RP national mark.

Joining the elite double gold medal winners’ club was Arniel Ferrera of the Philippine Air Force.

A day after a golden effort in men’s discus throw, the 22-year-old Ferrera struck anew, this time in men’s hammer throw where he heaved 51.17 meters for his second gold medal.

It was also a win that somehow got some measure of respect from Thailand, whose hammer throw entry, Vichit Homthownloum, finished with only a bronze after a registering only a distance of 49.35 m. Jerro Perater, also an Air Force man, took home the silver medal with a 50-98m.

Another national team member, Sean Guevarra, made his presence felt by ruling the men’s high jump, finishing with a leap of 2.07.